5 Checks & 5 Tips for INCITE

5 Checks for INCITE Proposal Writers

1. Is your research groundbreaking?

INCITE research is game changing: During the INCITE review, panelists assess the likelihood that your proposed work will contribute significantly to its respective field. INCITE research is also far reaching: Successful candidates are those who are thinking years ahead, or who are seeking answers to fundamental questions that have eluded explanation for years, or even centuries.

2. Does your code scale to large systems?

Successful INCITE candidates have production runs that scale to thousands of cores. In your proposal, you’ll need to show that your production runs will make effective use of a significant portion, in most cases 20% or more, of the ALCF system. Include previous large runs or plans for full-machine runs to help illustrate your “computational readiness” for INCITE. Also share your plans for addressing potential bottlenecks.

3. Can you use an INCITE-sized allocation?

The average 2014 INCITE allocation at the ALCF was 88 million core-hours, and the largest award was 240 million core-hours. A project needs a well defined plan for how they intend to use their allocated time. The total allocated in 2014 was 3.53 billion core-hours and the same will be available in 2015.

4. Do you have a long-range plan for your science?

In the interest of encouraging far-reaching advances, INCITE encourages multi-year proposals. All proposals must include specific, intermediate milestones to allow for tracking of the project’s progression throughout the duration of the award period.

5. Do you have a path forward for your code and the skill sets on your team to evolve your code?

Successful INCITE teams are engaged with their software and have a coordinated plan for its evolution. Be prepared to explain how you will use your code to propel your science forward. You will also need to demonstrate that your project has sufficient personnel resources with the right skill sets to get the job done.

5 Tips for INCITE Proposal Writers

INCITE is extremely competitive. Each proposal is reviewed by a panel of leaders in their respective fields (more than half are society or laboratory fellows, department chairs or heads, or center directors). ALCF’s Director of Science, Paul Messina, recommends, “Write your INCITE proposal with the level of detail you would use in a proposal for scientific research in which you were requesting multiple millions of dollars.”

3. Include data about your specific problem, not benchmark runs

Your proposal must include data from runs of the actual science problem you are seeking to solve, or as close to that problem as possible on your code at the time you prepare the proposal. A common mistake made by INCITE applicants is to submit results of benchmark runs that represent science problems other than those specified in the proposal.

4. View the “Preparing for INCITE 2013” informational webinar

Both prospective and returning users are invited to view a recording of a webinar where they can gain tips about the INCITE submission and review processes. To view it, go to: http://anl.adobeconnect.com/p8qgermnx97/

5. Be prepared to sell your story

Your INCITE proposal will include your project narrative. This is your opportunity to describe the significance and impact of your work in terms of the type of “game-changing” science that defines INCITE. Think “big picture” and include how the scientific community, the nation, or the world will benefit from your efforts.